Dr. Uģis Nastevičs (President of the ECER), Conference Opening Speech for ECER

"Conference Opening Speech for ECER"

Dear colleagues, members of the European Congress of Ethnic Religions, and distinguished guests, χαίρετε καλοί μου φίλοι!

With profound honor and heartfelt joy, I welcome you all to Athens—the cradle of philosophy, the birthplace of democratic discourse, and a city whose stones still whisper the stories of gods, heroes, and the people who revere them.

Here, in this historic city, where the 7th Congress was held in 2004, we are fortunate to gather again this year. Not only to speak, but to listen — to the heritage of Europe’s past, to the voices of our present diverse ethnic traditions, and to the possibilities of a shared future.

The topic of the congress this year is:the Contribution of Ethnic Religions to the formation of European Identity.

Europe today stands at a crossroads. Across our continent, questions of identity, belonging, and values are not abstract — they touch the daily lives of communities, families, and individuals. In this context, ethnic religions face unique challenges: marginalization by dominant religions, the pressures of secularization, and the intricate task of integration in multicultural societies.

Και τι δεν κανατε για να με θαψετε, ομως ξεχασατε πως ημουν σπορος. “And what didn’t you do to bury me, yet you forgot that I was a seed.” —
The quote from Greek poet Ντίνος Χριστιανόπουλος seems to resonate anew when considering the revival of ethnic religions across Europe. Our traditions offer gifts of immeasurable value: cultural richness, historical continuity, and a profound sense of community.

As we gather under the auspices of the European Congress of Ethnic Religions, let us remember that our work is not merely academic or ceremonial. By understanding, preserving, and celebrating ethnic religions, we strengthen Europe’s capacity to engage with its own identity in a globalized world. These traditions are not relics of a distant past — they are living, evolving, and vibrant expressions of human creativity, spirituality, and social cohesion.

Athens teaches us a lesson: civilization thrives when diverse voices are honored, when debate is encouraged, and when communities find common ground while respecting difference.

In the same spirit, let this congress be a place of dialogue, of exchange, and of inspiration. Let us share our knowledge, our rituals, our stories — and in doing so, weave a richer tapestry of European identity that embraces all its roots.

On behalf of the Board of the ECER, which was elected during the previous congress in Riga, Latvia back in 2023, I extend my gratitude to the hosts, the fellows of the Ύπατο Συμβούλιο των Ελλήνων Εθνικών, and my warmest welcome — to each of you. May these days in Athens be filled with learning, fellowship, and the rekindling of the sacred bonds that connect us to our heritage, to each other, and to the wider world.
Let the 19th European Congress of Ethnic Religions in Athens begin!
Lai top!
Ευχαριστώ (Efharistō)!